In 1864, John Jackson left his employment with Royal Perth Golf Club but continued his clubmaking business in the town of Perth. Walter "Watty" McDonald took over as the clubmaker and greenkeeper for Royal Perth:

Watty McDonald started business in 1864 as a club and ball maker, in a shop adjoining the clubhouse in Charlotte Street... In 1864, McDonald was engaged as green keeper at a salary of six shillings per week, the conditions being "that he be engaged from week to week only, and at all rimes be liable to put off work from unsuitable weather, from irregularity, inattention, neglect or other cause, at the order of the secretary" (Miller 1935,57).

This arrangement was clearly to Royal Perth's advantage. When McDonald, at a later time, was so bold as to request a raise in his wages, the club promptly sought out Jamie Anderson, who was then working as a clubmaker in the shop of Tom Morris, to replace McDonald as the greenkeeper. Anderson was willing to work for the club, but he had some terms of his own:

The Hon. Secretary, whose principle was one of the most rigid economy, was not a little astonished to learn that Anderson asked for a salary of one pound per week, with a free house and the usual accompaniments. Not feeling able to face so large an outlay the Council came to new terms with Watty McDonald, giving him thirty pounds per annum, with an additional two pounds for “rags and other extra charges”... This arrangement lasted until 1873.

Stamped “W. McDonald” on the crown, this putter is a solid example of McDonald’s work. The finish appears original as does the 37 3/4" shaft and sheepskin grip.  Interestingly, the grip uses two lengths of sheepskin that are whipped over where they meet.  This was done if the upper length of sheepskin was not long enough to cover the entire grip area.  Better to combine pieces than to throw them out if the supply was scarce.  There are what appear to be two grain separations in the face, but no cracks in the head.  Separations in the face grain were typical of many long nose clubs.  The shallow face and sleek overall shape speaks to MacDonald's work in the 1860s.  The head measures 5 3/8" in length, 1 7/8" width, and 15/16" in face depth.

In 1873, Andrew Forgan replaced McDonald as the clubmaker and greenkeeper for the Royal Perth Golf Club. McDonald continued to work as a clubmaker in the town of Perth for a few more years. Few examples of his work remain.